Ground conditions mean Haydock is a no for God’s Own

With Haydock currently verging on heavy going with more rain expected Tom George has delayed stepping his chaser up in distance and will stick to what he knows best

By TOM PEPPER

18th November 2016, 12:23 pm

Updated: 18th November 2016, 12:23 pm

TOM GEORGE is hoping the decision to stick to what God's Own knows best pays dividends this weekend in the Stella Artois 1965 Chase at Ascot.

Connections were keen to step the multiple Grade One winner up to three miles in Haydock's Betfair Chase, but the likelihood of testing ground on Merseyside prompted a change in plan.

God's Own beat Vautour at Punchestown last season, following up another Grade One win at Aintree. He then made a perfectly satisfactory return to action in the Old Roan Chase, finishing second to Third Intention when conceding 16lb.